Yes, please send me the Heroes and Heartbreakers email newsletter and other information from Macmillan and its related companies. H&H subscribers get the inside scoop on exclusive and exciting new romance content.

An exclusive excerpt of Chapters 1-3 from Valerie Bowman's Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage (October 1, 2013) is available on Heroes and Heartbreakers to members. Please log in or register at right to read the full excerpt.

A duchess awaiting trial for her vile husband's murder is the most delicious gossip the ton has heard in years. But for Kate Townsende, the woman in question, it could be a matter of life and death. And when a shrewd and handsome nobleman offers to publish her side of the story while arranging for a barrister to take her case, she's tempted by much more than the chance to defend herself.

James Bancroft, Viscount Medford, tells himself he's only interested in a bestselling pamphlet, but Kate's stubborn determination is captivating. Could the accused widow be telling the truth? At first, James isn't sure of anything besides his growing desire for her-but before long he's willing to risk much more than his reputation to make the infamous beauty his wife.

Chapter 1

The Tower of London, December 1816
The large metal door to her cell scraped open and Kate closed her eyes. She stepped forward, summoned from one cold dank cell into another. She had a visitor. Her first since she’d been taken to the gaol.

She opened her eyes. The harsh winter light filtered through the only window in the antechamber. The yeoman warder wore a blank expression on his face. He and the other guards always gave her the benefit of respect due her title. Whether they liked it or not.